Newly crowned World Rugby Sevens Series champs, the Blitzboks, have called for supporters to welcome them home upon their arrival in Cape Town on Tuesday.

Although the Blitzboks finished fifth at the final event of the season in London, it did not detract from a campaign that saw them clinch the series title for the first time since 2008-09.

During the season, the Blitzboks reached all 10 Cup quarter-finals, losing only two, while winning all eight semi-finals they were involved in. In addition, South Africa featured in five of the eight finals contested, and won the tournaments in Dubai, Wellington, Sydney, Las Vegas and Paris.

Springbok Sevens captain Philip Snyman dedicated the win to South Africa and all Blitzboks fans, saying the support throughout the season gave them much-needed inspiration

‘We are proudly South African and very proud champions. This one is for the country and for all our fans, especially those who watched us or listened to us play either late at night or early in the morning, when we were playing all over the world.

‘We received massive support, even when things did not go as planned. This was a huge effort and I am a very proud South African and Springbok Sevens player.’

In a light-hearted video posted on social media, the Blitzboks demonstrated what it might be like if they returned home only to find an empty airport in Cape Town.

They are due to land in Cape Town at 10am on Tuesday.

Photo: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images